May 25, 1977 – After eight months of negotiations with General Manager Clive Toye, Beckenbauer arrives in New York and signs a four-year contract to join the Cosmos at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan.

“I came here because I hope to help to make soccer in America more popular” – Beckenbauer

Der Kaiser would win the league three times in his first four seasons with the club (1977, 1978, 1980) scoring 23 goals and providing 53 assists in 132 regular season and playoff appearances with the Cosmos.